The crisis shone a spotlight on the multi-million dollar industry that preys on the desperation of the tens of thousands trying to escape grinding poverty in Bangladesh or persecution in Burma.

“The group of people are the victims of recent human trafficking by sea in the region of Indian Ocean,” Bangladeshi foreign ministry spokesman Arafat Rahman said on Wednesday.

“They were earlier rescued in a group of 528 from a boat in Myanmar waters.”

Bangladesh has now taken back 342 trafficking victims from Burma, including the latest repatriations.

“The repatriation process is a clear manifestation of Bangladesh’s commitment and seriousness in carrying out the repatriation of the verified Bangladeshis within the shortest possible time,” said Rahman.